Nokia and Deutsche Bahn have reached a breakthrough moment in railway communications, completing the world’s first live 5G call over a 1900 MHz (n101) network on an active rail test track.

This landmark achievement signals a major leap toward the adoption of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the next-generation global standard set to replace GSM-R and redefine mission-critical communications for the rail sector.

Conducted at Deutsche Bahn’s digital test field in Germany, the trial leveraged Nokia’s AirScale 5G radio solution and standalone core to deliver seamless connectivity in a real operational environment—marking a shift from controlled lab testing to full-scale, real-world deployment.

FRMCS is designed to unlock a new era of railway innovation, enabling real-time data exchange, enhanced automation, and secure cross-border operations. By decoupling applications from the underlying network, it allows services such as group communications and train control to run flexibly across 4G, 5G and future technologies.

The successful live call followed rigorous pre-testing and represents the first time FRMCS-ready technology has been validated end-to-end on a functioning railway track. The deployment confirmed reliable performance, smooth handovers, and uninterrupted connectivity—key requirements for mission-critical operations.

With the foundation now proven, Nokia and Deutsche Bahn are moving into advanced performance testing, focusing on latency, throughput, and service quality under real operating conditions.

Importantly, Nokia’s approach enables rail operators to introduce 5G alongside existing GSM-R systems, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition without disrupting current services.

The project also supports broader European initiatives, including validation efforts under the FP2-MORANE-2 programme, helping to shape the future of railway communications standards.

This achievement goes beyond a technical milestone—it provides the rail industry with clear, real-world evidence that FRMCS is ready to move from concept to deployment, accelerating digital transformation across Europe’s rail networks.